Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest. All of these names sound familiar right?

These social media websites are the biggest platforms for anyone to express their day to day experiences, pictures they've taken, or sharing articles (like this one) for all their friends to see. In this age of technology, it's easy to reach out to an old friend, family members, and potential companies you would like to work for. All of these seem great, but what if constantly being exposed has taken a negative toll on us?

Scrolling through a social media feed seems harmless enough but as great as other lives seem, it is usually never as picture perfect as it looks. When I'm on Twitter, I'll sometimes catch myself wishing to have what someone else has. The constant comparison of "they have this, I wish I had that" can be a cause for the increase in insecurities that many of us face.

Sometimes it's so easy to fall into the habit of using social media everyday. It's easy to know what everyone is up to and sometimes, drama pulls us in. Earlier in the school year, I personally deleted all of my social media for a week to see how it would affect me. At first, I felt extremely anxious. I felt like I was missing out on something huge. Further into the week, I started to feel free. I had extra time to study, hang out face-to-face with friends, and just go out and have some time alone.

With social media, are any of us really "alone" anymore? I challenge you to go social media free and see how it affects your life. Even if it's for a day or two.